To slay a dragon you must understand two things: what a dragon is and that you are wasting your time. There are no such things as dragons! However, the dragon does come in many forms in gaming, books, history and media. We will explore the dragon in these mediums and look at how the myth of the creature has evolved and why. Or, we'll just crack some dragon jokes and keep on going.
The image of the evil dragon, burning villages and eating livestock was standard to European literature. Many of these tales involved damsels in distress and vast treasure troves collected by the monsters. One interesting point though was how the "beasts" managed to carry coin if they were so large. Myths don't always account for everything.
Asian dragons typically, are the opposite. They are considered intelligent and benevolent, or good. Dragons in Asian myth will often take on human form and offer help to heroes in the form of guidance and offer wisdom. They are considered to be predominately a water elemental that take interest in the affairs of man beyond what they can eat and carry away from the local village.
One of the most famous historical stories involving dragons surrounds the story of Saint George, the patron saint of England. George was a Roman cavalry officer who converted to Christianity. To prove that Christianity was stronger than his Pagan roots, George found and slew a massive dragon. This led to the concept of knights slaying dragons all over Europe. This might explain all the burning and sheep eating that went on. If dragons had been real, it's not a considerable leap to think they would want some payback!
Mythical dragons span the entire globe in one form or another. In Europe they are pictured as very large, four legged lizards, later as the myth evolved, so did the dragon's wings. Asian dragons, when not in human form, were often pictured as large serpents with or without wings. The dragons of India looked somewhat dog-like, but there are no myths surviving of them ever chasing a ball.
J.R.R. Tolkien's book the Hobbit helped re-popularized the concept of a flying reptile laying waste to the countryside and eating sheep and burning villages. This dragon could speak though and is considered the template for the modern concept of dragons.
Dragons in western culture became even more popular with the advent of the game Dungeons and Dragons. Often players would game in a group hoping to take on dragons of a decidedly European look who had varying degrees of intelligence and malice. Tiamat being the deity of these dragons.
Dragons have been around in myths and legend for centuries. Their prominence in popular culture can be seen in media even today. They symbolize strength, power and the elemental forces of nature and what man sees in himself. Dragons will no doubt continue to do so for centuries to come. - 30290
The image of the evil dragon, burning villages and eating livestock was standard to European literature. Many of these tales involved damsels in distress and vast treasure troves collected by the monsters. One interesting point though was how the "beasts" managed to carry coin if they were so large. Myths don't always account for everything.
Asian dragons typically, are the opposite. They are considered intelligent and benevolent, or good. Dragons in Asian myth will often take on human form and offer help to heroes in the form of guidance and offer wisdom. They are considered to be predominately a water elemental that take interest in the affairs of man beyond what they can eat and carry away from the local village.
One of the most famous historical stories involving dragons surrounds the story of Saint George, the patron saint of England. George was a Roman cavalry officer who converted to Christianity. To prove that Christianity was stronger than his Pagan roots, George found and slew a massive dragon. This led to the concept of knights slaying dragons all over Europe. This might explain all the burning and sheep eating that went on. If dragons had been real, it's not a considerable leap to think they would want some payback!
Mythical dragons span the entire globe in one form or another. In Europe they are pictured as very large, four legged lizards, later as the myth evolved, so did the dragon's wings. Asian dragons, when not in human form, were often pictured as large serpents with or without wings. The dragons of India looked somewhat dog-like, but there are no myths surviving of them ever chasing a ball.
J.R.R. Tolkien's book the Hobbit helped re-popularized the concept of a flying reptile laying waste to the countryside and eating sheep and burning villages. This dragon could speak though and is considered the template for the modern concept of dragons.
Dragons in western culture became even more popular with the advent of the game Dungeons and Dragons. Often players would game in a group hoping to take on dragons of a decidedly European look who had varying degrees of intelligence and malice. Tiamat being the deity of these dragons.
Dragons have been around in myths and legend for centuries. Their prominence in popular culture can be seen in media even today. They symbolize strength, power and the elemental forces of nature and what man sees in himself. Dragons will no doubt continue to do so for centuries to come. - 30290
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